Liquid crystal panel, apparatus for inspecting the same, and method of fabricating liquid crystal display thereof

ABSTRACT

A composite liquid crystal that interacts with an inspection station to simulate operating liquid crystal displays, and methods of fabricating and testing such liquid crystal panels. The composite liquid crystal panel enables the application of operating voltages to a plurality of unit liquid crystal panel areas. The inspection station provides operating power, illuminating light, and first and second polarizers. When power is applied to the composite liquid crystal panel an image is produced. That image will show defects in the unit liquid crystal panel areas. Beneficially, the inspection station tilts to enable problem identification.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent ApplicationsP2002-10197 and P2002-13527, which were respectively filed on Feb. 26,2002 and Mar. 13, 2002, and which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] This application incorporates by reference two co-pendingapplications, serial No. ______ , filed on Jun. 28, 2002, entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICES”(Attorney Docket Number 8733.666.00) and serial No. ______ , filed onJun. 28, 2002, entitled “SYSTEM FOR FABRICATING LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYAND METHOD OF FABRICATING LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY USING THE SAME”(8733.684.00), as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to liquid crystal display panels.In particular, the present invention relates methods of fabricating andinspecting such panels.

[0005] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0006] Following the expansion of the information society, a need hasarisen for displays that produce high quality images in thin,lightweight packages that consume little power. To meet such needs,research has produced a variety of flat panel display devices, includingliquid crystal displays (LCD), plasma displays (PDP), electroluminescent displays (ELD), and vacuum fluorescent displays (VFD). Someof these display technologies have already been applied in informationdisplays.

[0007] Of the various types of flat panel display devices, the LCD isprobably the most widely used. In fact, in portable devices, such asnotebook PC computers, LCD technology has already replaced cathode raytubes (CRT) as the display of choice. Moreover, even in desktop PCs andin TV monitors, LCDs devices are becoming more common.

[0008] The basic LCD is comprised of opposing substrates and a liquidcrystal material that is disposed between the substrates.

[0009] Liquid crystal is a material phase that has properties betweenliquid and solid. Liquid crystal has the fluidity of a liquid, but hasthe long-range crystal ordering of a solid. Liquid crystal has opticalanisotropy due to its long-range crystal ordering and fluidity.

[0010] An LCD is manufactured using a number of processes, includingarray formation, color filter (CF) formation, liquid crystal filling(disposing), and module forming (described subsequently).

[0011] Array formation involves depositions, photolithography, andetching to form a thin film transistor (TFT) array on a first substrate(the TFT substrate). Color filter (CF) formation includes forming red,green, and blue color filters in a black matrix, and forming an ITO(Indium Tin Oxide) film that acts as a common electrode on a CFsubstrate.

[0012] The liquid crystal filling (disposing) process involvesassembling the TFT substrate and the CF substrate together. Generally,the TFT and color filter substrates are mated to produce a thin gapbetween substrates. Then, liquid crystal is filled through a gap openingto form a liquid crystal panel.

[0013] In module forming a driving circuit for processing input andoutput signals is connected to the liquid crystal panel. Additionally,frames are added to complete the liquid crystal module.

[0014] LCDs are typically assembled on a production line. In the priorart, cassettes, each having a plurality of TFT substrates or a pluralityof color filter substrates, are input to a loader. Each TFT substrateincludes a plurality of gate lines that extend in one direction, and aplurality of perpendicularly crossing data lines. Thin film transistorsand pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix at areas between the gateand data lines. The CF substrates each have a black matrix layer, acolor filter, and a common electrode. Hence, the black matrix layershields light leakage except for that desired from the pixel region.

[0015] Each TFT substrate or color filter substrate is individuallyremoved from the cassette by the loader and transferred to the input ofan alignment layer production line. That line, which includes ahand-programmed robot, forms an alignment layer on the individualsubstrates, reference alignment process step 1S of FIG. 1.

[0016] Step 1S includes cleaning individual substrates to enableformation of a uniform alignment layer coating. Then, an alignmentmaterial is coated on the substrate. Then, the alignment material iscured by drying off a solvent in the alignment material, and/or byinducing thermal polymerization of the alignment material. After curing,the alignment material is mechanically rubbed to induce a surface thatanchors the liquid crystal in a uniformly align fashion. Finally, acleaning process is carried out again, resulting in an alignment layer.

[0017] After the alignment layer 1S is completed, several processes areperformed to produce a gap. Those processes can be carried out in serialor in parallel. The gap forming processes include a cleaning process(step 2S) in which a substrate (TFT or color filter substrate) iscleaned and a spacer scattering process (step 3S) in which spacers arescattered onto that substrate. The spacers are used to maintain the gapthickness constant and uniform.

[0018] Instead of forming a gap, a sealant coating process (step 4S) canbe performed on the substrate (one type of substrate [TFT or CF]undergoes gap forming, the other undergoes sealant coating). After acleaning step 2S, a sealing material is disposed on a peripheral part ofthe substrate. The sealing material is subsequently used to attach theTFT substrate to the CF substrate to form an assembled panel. It shouldbe understood that the sealant coating process (4S) is performed on onetype of substrate (TFT or CF), while spacer scattering is performed onthe other type. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the production line has twosub-portions. One sub-portion cleans (step 2S) and scatters spacers(step 3S). The other cleans (step 2S) and produces a seal (step 4S).

[0019] After the spacer scattering process 3S and the sealant coatingprocess 4S, an assembling process (5S) that aligns, heats, and pressesthe TFT substrate and the color filter substrate together to produce anLCD panel is performed. In the assembly process, the TFT substrate andthe color filter substrate are arranged in an opposing fashion and thenjoined to form an LCD panel.

[0020] After the assembly process (step 5S), a cutting process (step 6S)cuts the assembled empty LCD panel into a plurality of unit panels byscribing and breaking the assembled empty panel.

[0021] After the cutting process (step 6S) is complete, liquid crystalis filled into the unit panels through a liquid crystal filling hole inthe sealing material and the filling hole is then sealed (step 7S).

[0022] Finally, after step 7S, the individual liquid crystal unit panelsare ground (to removed cutting burrs), and inspected, reference step 8S.The liquid crystal cell is then complete.

[0023] A typical prior art liquid crystal injection process per step 7Sis schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown, liquid crystal 25 isput into a vessel 30. The vessel 30 is inserted in a vacuum chamber 20.The vacuum chamber 20 is evacuated for a period of time to remove wateradhering to an inner wall of the vessel 30, water in the liquid crystal25, and micro bubbles in the liquid crystal 25.

[0024] Still referring to FIG. 2, the seal opening of several unitpanels 40 are then dipped into the liquid crystal. Inflowing N₂ gasproduces atmospheric pressure in the chamber 20. The pressure differencebetween the vacuum in the unit panels 40 and the chamber 20 forcesliquid crystal into the unit panels.

[0025] After the respective unit panels 40 have been charged with liquidcrystal 20, the liquid crystal inlet is sealed. The unit liquid crystalpanels are then cleaned. This completes step 7S.

[0026] While beneficial, liquid crystal injection using the foregoingprocedures has problems. For example, liquid crystal injection methodrequires a long time, such as over 10 hours to fill a ten-inch panel.The injection time is so long because the gap thickness between thesubstrates is very small and the area to be filled is relatively large.This problem is particularly acute when fabricating a large area LCD.Additionally, the foregoing process wastes liquid crystal due to thefact that excess liquid crystal material cannot be reused because theliquid crystal may be contaminated and/or degraded by impurities andchemical reactions. To overcome such problems a method of applyingliquid crystal using a dropping method has been proposed.

[0027] The liquid crystal dropping method is briefly explained withreference to FIG. 3. It should be understood that the TFT and colorfilter substrates are beneficially large glass substrates that include aplurality of substrate panel areas (TFT arrays and color filter arrays)that will eventually form individual LCD displays. In the liquid crystaldropping method, liquid crystal is dropped onto substrate panel areas ofa substrate. The dropped liquid crystal will be subsequently spread overthe substrate panel areas when the first and second substrates areassembled together.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, an alignment process 100 s is carriedout as described above to give the liquid crystals uniform directivity.Then, referring to step 102S, the TFT and CF substrates are cleaned.

[0029] Subsequently, in step 103S, the cleaned CF substrate is loaded ona seal dispenser and a seal is dispensed around the circumference of therespective substrate panel areas. The sealant is beneficially aphoto/thermo-hardened resin. Notably, a liquid crystal injectioninlet/opening is unnecessary.

[0030] Meanwhile, in step 105S, the cleaned TFT substrate is loaded onan Ag dispensing equipment to form Ag dots on a common electrode supplyline of the TFT substrate. Then, in step 106S, the TFT substrate isloaded on an LC dispenser. Then, liquid crystal is dropped on thesubstrate panel areas.

[0031] Subsequently, in a vacuum assembly and hardening step 107S, theTFT and CF substrates are loaded in a vacuum chamber. Then, the TFT andCF substrates are assembled to each other such that the dropped liquidcrystals uniformly fill the gap between the substrate panel areas. Thesealant is then hardened to form a composite LC panel. The composite LCpanel is a large panel having a plurality of unit liquid crystal panelareas.

[0032] In an S/B (scribe/break) step 108S the composite LC panel isdivided into individual LC panels. The S/B step 108S includes a scribingprocess in which cutting lines are formed on the glass surface using adiamond-based pen, and a breaking process that separates the individualLC panels by applying a force.

[0033] A grinding step S109 grinds faces of the individual LC panels toremove shorting bars. Then, an appearance and A/P (auto/probe)inspection step 110S is performed on each of the individual LC panels,completing the LC display formation process.

[0034] The A/P inspection is an electrical inspection of the individualLC panels that uses a device that applies a predetermined voltage toinput terminals that are connected to the gate and data lines of the TFTsubstrate of the unit LC panel. The A/P inspection is useful in checkingcell gap failures or LC leakage failures.

[0035] After step 110S, a module is formed by integrating a driver IC, abacklight, and module frames to the individual LC panel.

[0036] Unfortunately, the liquid crystal dropping method has problems ofits own. For example, after the composite LC panel has been cut intoindividual LC panels, the appearance and electrical integrity arechecked by a worker. That testing was relatively difficult and timeconsuming to perform since the drive lines of the all of the individualLC panels had to be driven with a predetermined pattern to test theindividual LC panel. This increase inspection time and leads to workerfatigue.

[0037] Therefore, a method of automatically checking the electricalintegrity and visual performance of a composite LC display would bebeneficial. Even more beneficial would be a method of automaticallychecking the electrical integrity and visual performance of a compositeLC display that did not overly tax workers or significantly impact onproductivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a compositeliquid crystal panel, to an apparatus for inspecting the same, and to amethod of fabricating an individual liquid crystal panels in a mannerthat substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations anddisadvantages of the related art.

[0039] An advantage of the present invention is to provide a compositeliquid crystal panel having an electrode structure that enableselectrical and visual inspection of the composite large liquid crystalpanel. Another object of the present invention is to provide for anapparatus that inspects composite liquid crystal panels having a specialelectrode structure. Yet another object of the present invention is toprovide a method of fabricating a composite liquid crystal displayhaving a special electrode structure such that the composite liquidcrystal display can be divided into individual liquid crystal panels,beneficial such that less testing of the individual liquid crystalpanels is required.

[0040] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in part in the description which follows and in part will becomeapparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination ofthe following or may be learned from practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0041] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly describedherein, a liquid crystal panel according to the present inventionincludes a substrate having a plurality of substrate panels areascomprised of a plurality of perpendicularly crossing gate and datalines. Additionally, the substrate includes first and second metal linesthat are respectively formed in the column and row directions and alongedges of the substrate. A column-shorting bar that short-circuits aplurality of the gate lines is electrically connected to the secondmetal line. A row-shorting bar that short-circuits a plurality of thedata lines is electrically connected to the first metal line.

[0042] In another aspect of the present invention, a method offabricating a liquid crystal display includes preparing first and secondsubstrates that, when bonded together, form a composite liquid crystalpanel having a plurality of unit LC panel areas. The method furtherincludes assembling the first and second substrates together by bonding,and then performing A/P testing that checks for electrical failures andvisual defects of the composite liquid crystal panel.

[0043] In a further aspect of the present invention, fabricating aliquid crystal display includes the steps of preparing first and secondsubstrates, each having a plurality of substrate panel areas, coatingsealant around the substrate panel areas of one of the first and secondsubstrates, dropping liquid crystals on the substrate panel areas of theother of the first and second substrates, forming a composite liquidcrystal panel having a plurality of unit liquid crystal panel areas bybonding the first and second substrates together such that the substratepanel areas of the first and second substrates are opposed, carrying outA/P (auto probe) testing to identify electrical failures and visualdefects in the unit large liquid crystal panel area, cutting thecomposite liquid crystal panel to form a plurality of individual liquidcrystal panels, and then grinding faces of the individual liquid crystalpanels.

[0044] In another further aspect of the present invention, an inspectionapparatus includes a stage having a rotational axis that enables stagetilting, a light source inside the stage that enables substantiallyuniform light irradiation, a first polarizer arranged over the lightsource and dimensioned to cover a composite liquid crystal panel that isto be tested, and at least two voltage terminals for applying apredetermined voltage to the composite liquid crystal panel.

[0045] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description of the presentinvention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to providefurther explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide afurther understanding of the invention and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of theinvention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciple of the invention.

[0047] In the drawings:

[0048]FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of LCD fabrication using vacuuminjection;

[0049]FIG. 2 illustrates vacuum injection as used in the flowchart ofFIG. 1;

[0050]FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of LCD fabrication using applying(dropping) liquid crystal to a substrate;

[0051]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a first substrate of an LC panelaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an LC panel according to anembodiment of the -present invention;

[0053]FIG. 6 illustrates a magnified cross-sectional view of portion ‘A’in FIG. 5;

[0054]FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an LCD fabrication methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055]FIG. 8 illustrates an inspection apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

[0056]FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a structural layout of an LCpanel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] Reference will now be made in detail to illustrated embodimentsof the present invention, examples of which are shown in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever appropriate, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similarparts.

[0058]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a first substrate of an LC panelaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5schematically illustrates an unit LC panel area according to anembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 illustrates a magnifiedcross-sectional view of portion ‘A’ of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 illustrates aflowchart of an LCD fabrication method according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 8 illustrates an inspection apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the-present invention, and FIG. 9 schematicallyillustrates a structural layout of a composite LC panel according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 for illustrations of first and secondsubstrates 100 and 200, respectively a TFT array substrate and a colorfilter array substrate. The first substrate 100 includes a plurality offirst substrate panel areas 100 a, while the second substrate 200includes a matching set of second substrate panel areas. Completed firstand second substrates 100 and 200 are loaded on cassettes that enter anLC (liquid crystal) fabrication line.

[0060] The first substrate panel areas 100 a each include a plurality ofgate lines 50 that are arranged in one direction with a predeterminedinterval, and a plurality of data lines 60 are arranged in aperpendicular direction and with a predetermined interval. Matrix typepixel areas 70 are defined by the gate and data lines 50 and 60. Aplurality of thin film transistors TFT and pixel electrodes are formedin the pixel areas 70. An image display area 80 is constructed from aplurality of the pixel areas 70. Moreover, while not shown in thedrawings, a gate electrode of each of the thin film transistors TFT isconnected to a corresponding gate line 50, while a source electrode isconnected to a corresponding data line 60. A drain electrode of each ofthe thin film transistors is connected to the pixel electrode in thepixel area 70. Moreover, a plurality of the gate and data lines 50 and60 are connected to gate and data pads 90 and 110 that are disposedalong the circumference of the TFT unit substrate area 100 a.

[0061] Additionally, first and second metal lines 121 and 123 are formedin the column and row directions near edges of the first substrate 100.External terminals 121 a and 123 a are formed at ends of the first andsecond metal lines 121 and 123. The first and second metal lines 121 and123 are conductive lines that will be used for testing the compositeliquid crystal panel during A/P testing. The first and second metallines 121 and 123 are eventually discarded.

[0062] A column shorting bar 120 and a row shorting bar 122 for eachsubstrate panel area electrically shorts the ends of the gate and datalines 50 and 60 by connecting to the pads 90 and 110 respectively. Therow shorting bars 122 are electrically connected to the first metal line121, while the column shorting bars 120 are electrically connected tothe second metal line 123. As a result, all of the gate lines 50 of allof the first substrate panel areas 100 a are tied together, and all ofthe data lines 60 of all of the first substrate panel areas 100 a aretied together. It should be noted that static electricity produced atany gate or data pad 90 and 110 is discharged into all of the firstsubstrate panel areas 100 a by the shorting bars.

[0063] Referring specifically to FIG. 5, a plurality of second substrateareas 200 a are formed on the second substrate 200. The second substrateareas 200 a each include a black matrix layer 210 that prevents lightfrom passing through the second substrate area 200 a, except in thepixel areas 70. They also include a color filter layer for three primarycolors, a common electrode along an entire face of the second substrate,and a column type spacer (advantageous for a large LCD). The column typespacer is formed to correspond to the gate and data lines on the firstsubstrate 100.

[0064] A black circumference part 220 is installed so as to blockunnecessary light from the external surroundings of a display part 80.The first and second substrates 100 and 200 having the first and secondsubstrate areas 100 a and 200 a are assembled to each other using asealant 130 made of a photo-hardened or thermo-hardened resin.

[0065]FIG. 6 illustrates a magnified cross-sectional view of the portion‘A’ of FIG. 5. As shown, an insulating layer 127 is inserted between thecolumn and row shorting bars 120 and 122 on the first substrate 100 soas to isolate the column and row shorting bars 120 and 122 from eachother.

[0066] The above-constructed first and second substrates 100 and 200 arefabricated into an individual LC panels using the processing flowchartof FIG. 7. As shown, the first and second substrates are transferred, bya loader, into an LC cell processing station. The LC cell processingstation performs three main steps, the steps 500, 600, and 700.

[0067] The first step 500 is an alignment process for imparting uniformdirectivity to the liquid crystals. The alignment process is carried outby substrate cleaning 20S, followed by alignment layer printing 21S,then alignment layer plasticizing 22S, followed by alignment layerinspecting 23S, and finally alignment layer rubbing 24S.

[0068] Several comments about the step 500 may be helpful. After thecleaning process 20S remove particles the substrate is ready forprinting. An alignment material solution is dropped between Doctor andAnilox rolls that rotate in a dispenser. The alignment layer liquid ismaintained as a liquid film on the face of the Anilox roll and istransferred to a print roll having a print rubber plate. A film of thealignment material solution is then coated on the first and secondsubstrates by transcription.

[0069] Subsequently, a baking process plasticizes the alignment layer,reference step 22S. Baking then evaporates a solvent in the alignmentlayer liquid. The alignment layer is then inspected (step 23S) andrubbed (step 24S).

[0070] The second step 600 is then performed. The substrate with thealignment layer is then cleaned (step 25S). If the substrate is a CFsubstrate, a sealant is coated around the second substrate panel areas,step 26S. Notably, the sealant has no injection inlet.

[0071] If the substrate is a TFT substrate, the substrate is alsocleaned, step 25S, Then, Ag dots are formed to enable electricalconnections to the common electrode of the CF substrate, step 27S.Liquid crystals are then applied to the first substrate panel areas atlocations that correspond to being inside the sealant on the colorfilter substrate. Beneficially, the liquid crystal is applied bydropping droplets, step 29S.

[0072] Liquid crystal dropping is performed by removing bubbles fromliquid crystals using vacuum, loading an LC dropping device on an LCdispensing equipment, loading the first substrate on the LC dispensingequipment, and dropping liquid crystals on the first substrate using theLC dropping device.

[0073] While the foregoing has discussed forming a seal on the CFsubstrate and dropping liquid crystal on the TFT substrate, in practice,seals could be formed on TFT substrates and liquid crystal could bedropped on the CF substrate.

[0074] After step 600, the third step 700 is performed. The first andsecond substrates are assembled to each other in a vacuum assemblingequipment such that the first and second substrate panel areas areopposed. Then UV-rays are irradiated onto the sealant to harden thesealant, thus forming a composite LC panel.

[0075] While not shown in the figures, the assembling process isperformed as follows. First, the first substrate is mounted on a tablein a vacuum vessel that enables movement in a horizontal direction,beneficially, using a first suction device. Then, the second substrateis affixed by vacuum suction to second suction devices such that thesecond substrate is over the first. The vacuum chamber is then closedand a vacuum is formed. The second suction device then descends so as toleave a predetermined interval between the first and second substrates.The first substrate is then moved horizontally to align with the secondsubstrate.

[0076] Subsequently, the second suction device descends such that thesecond substrate is assembled to the first substrate via the sealant.The first and second substrates are then pressed together such that theliquid crystal unit panel areas are filled with the liquid crystals(which spread across the first substrate liquid crystal unit panelareas). Thus, a large LC panel having a plurality of liquid crystal unitpanel areas is fabricated. Thereafter, the panel is taken out of thevacuum chamber, and is irradiated by UV light so as to cure the sealingmaterial.

[0077] An electrical lighting inspection is then performed, referencestep 40S. The electrical lighting inspection is carried out as follows.Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the large LC panel is loaded on aninspection equipment 400 by a robot arm, reference step 41S. Theinspection equipment 400, as shown in FIG. 8, includes a stage 300, atleast three protrusions 310 arranged so as to have a minimum contactarea between the stage 300 and the composite LC panel put on by therobot arm, a rotational member 320 that tilts, and light sources 330within the stage 300. The light sources 330 radiate light uniformly frominside the stage. A first polarizer 327 is arranged over the lightsource 330. A fixing part (not shown in the drawing) fixes the 1composite LC panel to the stage 300 when the stage rotates.

[0078] The inspection equipment 400 further includes at least twovoltage terminals 328 for applying a voltage to external connectionterminals 121 a and 123 a, reference FIG. 4, which enable theapplication of electric power to the gate and data pads 90 and 110,reference FIG. 5.

[0079] Referring now to FIG. 8, the inspection equipment 400 rotates atpredetermined angles by way of the rotational member 320 after thecomposite LC panel is loaded on the inspection equipment 400 by therobot arm, reference steps 41S and 42S. The composite LC panel receivesexternal power via the external connection terminals 328.

[0080] Next, a user performs A/P testing using a second polarizer 329having a predetermined size that is coupled with the inspectionequipment such that the first and second polarizers sandwich thecomposite LC panel, reference step 44S.

[0081]FIG. 9 illustrates the layout of the composite LC panel accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, an external voltageis applied via external connection terminals 328 to the terminal 121 a,connected to the first metal line 123, and to the external connectionterminal 123 a, connected to the second metal line 123. Also, apredetermined DC voltage is applied to the common electrode of thesecond substrate 500. This enables the A/P (auto probe) testing,reference step 44S of FIG. 7.

[0082] The inspection equipment 400 with a composite LC panel sandwichedbetween the first and second polarizers, together with the light fromthe light sources 330 and the applied electrical power simulate anoperating LC display module that produces a solid image. Electricaldefects, such as open or shorted gate and data lines, will be visuallyapparent since areas will be blank (or have other distortions).Furthermore, image stains such as cross-striped areas, black regions,color filter protrusions, oblique stains, rubbing stripes, pin holes,open or shorted gate and data lines, and the like will be visible tohuman observers or to CCD (charge coupled device).

[0083] After completion of A/P test, the inspection equipment 400 isrotated to return to its initial position, reference step 45S. The largeLC panel is then loaded into a cassette using the robot arm, referencestep 46S.

[0084] Beneficially, A/P test is performed in the processing assemblyline, thereby preventing unnecessary delays and inconvenience.

[0085] Subsequently, a S/B (scribe/break) process is carried out,reference step 47S. The S/B process includes a scribe step of formingcutting line on glass surfaces using a diamond-based pen, and a breakstep of cutting the glass by applying a force. The S/B process dividesthe large LC panel into a plurality of unit LC panels called cell units.

[0086] Then, a grinding process, step 48S is performed to grind faces ofthe unit LC panels, thereby completing the third step 700.

[0087] Thereafter, a module process that attaches a driver IC, abacklight, and the like is carried out.

[0088] Accordingly, the method of fabricating a liquid crystal displayaccording to the present invention has the following advantages.

[0089] First, the electrode structure enables performing electrical andvisual inspection of composite LC panels before the individual LC panelsare completed. This enables a single inspection that reduces inspectiontime and worker fatigue. Furthermore, the present invention performs A/Ptesting in an early fabrication stage, thereby enabling feedback ofdefect information, which improves mass production.

[0090] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art than variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal panel comprising: a substratehaving a plurality of panel areas, each panel area having a plurality ofcrossing gate and data lines; a first metal line extending in a columndirection along an edge of the substrate; a second metal line extendingin a row direction along an edge of the substrate; a column shorting barshort-circuiting a plurality of the gate lines and electricallyconnected to the second metal line; and a row shorting barshort-circuiting a plurality of the data lines and electricallyconnected to the first metal line.
 2. The liquid crystal panel of claim1, further comprising connection terminals at ends of the first andsecond metal lines.
 3. The liquid crystal panel of claim 1, furtherincluding an insulating layer between the row and column shorting bars.4. A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display, comprising:assembling a liquid crystal panel having first and second substratesthat are joined together, wherein the assembled liquid crystal panelincludes a plurality of unit liquid crystal panel areas; and testing theassembled liquid crystal panel to verify the electrical operation of theplurality of unit liquid crystal panel areas.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein testing the assembled liquid crystal panel to verify theelectrical operation is performed using auto probe testing.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein assembling a liquid crystal panel includesthe steps of: selectively coating a sealant on a first substrate todefine a sealed area; and dropping liquid crystal on one of the firstand second substrates such that the liquid crystal is within the sealedarea.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: forminga plurality of unit liquid crystal panels by cutting the liquid crystalpanel; and grinding faces of the unit liquid crystal panels.
 8. Themethod of claim 4, further including visual testing the assembled liquidcrystal panel.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein visual testing includeschecking the alignment of the assembled liquid crystal panel.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein visual testing includes: locating a firstpolarizer on the assembled liquid crystal panel; locating a secondpolarizer on the assembled liquid crystal panel; radiating light ontothe assembled liquid crystal panel and through the second polarizer; andvisually inspecting the assembled liquid crystal panel while tilting theassembled liquid crystal panel.
 11. A method of fabricating a liquidcrystal display, comprising the steps of: fabricating first and secondsubstrates; selectively coating a sealant on one of the first and secondsubstrates; applying liquid crystals to one of the first and secondsubstrates; assembling the first and second substrates together to forma composite liquid crystal panel; electrically testing the liquidcrystal panel; and separating the liquid crystal panel into a pluralityof individual liquid crystal panels.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinelectrically testing the composite liquid crystal panel is performed byauto probe testing.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein auto probetesting includes: locating a first polarizer on the liquid crystalpanel; locating a second polarizer on the liquid crystal panel;radiating light onto the liquid crystal panel through the secondpolarizer; and visually inspecting the liquid crystal panel whiletilting the liquid crystal panel to identify defects; and performingelectrical failure testing of the composite liquid crystal panel. 14.The method of claim 11, further including the step of grinding faces ofthe individual liquid crystal panels.
 15. The method of claim 11,wherein fabricating first and second substrates includes: fabricating aplurality of TFT unit substrate areas, each having a plurality ofcrossing gate and data lines, on the first substrate; and fabricating aplurality of color filter unit substrate areas, each having a blackmatrix layer, primary color filters, and a common electrode, on thesecond substrate.
 16. An inspection apparatus comprising: a tiltablestage; a light source inside the stage for irradiating light; a firstpolarizer for locating on a composite liquid crystal display; a secondpolarizer for locating between the liquid source and the compositeliquid crystal display; and at least two electrical terminals on thestage; wherein the stage is dimensioned to receive a liquid crystalpanel; and wherein the electrical terminals are for applying apredetermined voltage to a liquid crystal panel on the stage.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, further comprising fixing stands that mate theliquid crystal panel to the stage.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the composite liquid crystal panel includes a plurality of unitliquid crystal panel areas.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein eachunit panel area, comprising: a TFT unit substrate area having aplurality of crossing gate and data lines; a color filter substrate areacomprising a black matrix layer, a color filter layer, and a commonelectrode; and a liquid crystal layer inserted between the TFT and CFunit substrate areas.